Warsaw Common Council President Jack Wilhite, right, presents retiring Mayor Joe Thallemer with a gift from the council in appreciation for his service to the city. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

WARSAW — Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer admits to being his own worst critic, but most everyone at his last city council meeting Monday night, Dec. 18, had only good things to say to him about his 12-year tenure, including that he doesn’t run away from the hard issues and criticism.

Thallemer didn’t seek re-election this year and District 1 Councilman Jeff Grose ran for mayor unopposed. Thallemer’s 12th year in office ends Dec. 31.

The only person who brought any negativity to Monday’s meeting was local resident Gary Parker, who has been a critic of Thallemer and that didn’t change Monday. Parker listed city projects that haven’t been completed yet under Thallemer’s watch and complained about Thallemer serving three terms when he said he’d only serve two.

But having actually worked with Thallemer for years, the clerk-treasurer, city attorney and six of the seven council members praised Thallemer for everything he has done for the city. Councilwoman Diane Quance was absent.

Council President Jack Wilhite said, “As you all know, this is the last council meeting of 2023. The last meeting of this term. And the last meeting with Joe Thallemer presiding as mayor. I’ve had the distinct pleasure to serve the citizens of Warsaw with Mayor Thallemer for eight years. You know, make that 11 because I was on the BZA for three before then.”

Outgoing Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, right, poses for a photo with incoming mayor and city Councilman Jeff Grose, left, after the city council meeting Monday night. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

He said their history goes back to when they graduated from Warsaw Community High School together in 1973, though they didn’t know each other that well then. They became better acquainted when Wilhite began attending council meetings with others.

Thallemer served on the city council for 12 years before being mayor for 12 years, Wilhite said.

“I’ve said many times that Joe and I don’t always agree. But one of the things that I will miss about you, Mr. Mayor, is your political sense. Your ability to get people to come together and get things done. Not withstanding the complaints earlier discussed, there’s a lot of balls to keep in the air and a lot that’s gotten done. Your ability to keep issues from getting out of hand has been masterful,” Wilhite said. “I will miss your vision for Warsaw. I will miss your ability to not just look at today’s circumstances, but down the road to the future. The ability to set Warsaw up for future success.”

Wilhite said Thallemer has done his best to assist anyone who seeks help. His door is always open, even though his schedule is “insane.” Wilhite stated he’s seen Thallemer show compassion and go the extra mile for citizens he might have dismissed himself or failed to see their point of view.

“But you just can’t do everything. You have to pick and choose. You have to prioritize. And the world doesn’t always cooperate with you. The amount of balls the mayor has had to keep up in the air at one time is staggering,” Wilhite said.

He said Thallemer has served and will continue to serve not for his benefit but for the benefit of the majority of Warsaw.

“Joe’s intentions in my mind are good. His moral compass is strong. And his love for our community is evident. I’ll miss you, Joe,” Wilhite concluded.

Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen let Thallemer know how much she appreciated getting to know him better, how much he’s done for Warsaw and for the growth the city has seen. She thanked him for all his help he has given her office.

“Your service has been great and you should be very proud of yourself,” she said.

City attorney Scott Reust said Thallemer has done a very good job.

“I get phone calls from him quite regularly, and he’s got some unique traits — he can be good cop and bad cop at the same time,” Reust said. “… He understands government. He’s helped other communities, he’s been a leader of the Mayor’s Council. He’s been big in Aim. He’s learned from others, he’s not too humble to do that.”

It’s hard work to juggle everything Thallemer has had to juggle, Reust continued. “He listens to nearly everything that comes into the mayor’s office. He’s thoughtful — it’s important to him, from small things to big things. I’ve seen him give a lot of attention to things like trees and cats and diversity and all kinds of things. And big projects. He’s got us on a direction, he’s accomplished a lot. He’s a hard worker. He’s a kind person. I think he’s done a great job from what I’ve seen,” he said, adding that Thallemer really excels at the behind-the-scenes stuff that most people may never see.

“We’re going to miss him. This community is going to miss him. I’m grateful for his future endeavors, I think he’s going to help a lot of people. I think he’s picked the perfect thing to go do for him as he leaves this position, and I’m glad we had him when we did. So I think he was essential for these last 12 years. Covid was something different. I’m glad we had his leadership,” Reust said, noting that Thallemer wants people to come to meetings and be involved in their community and talk to him.

“He wants to deal with the really tough issues and I think that’s what sets him apart, is he’s ready to stand on the frontlines and take the punches every day and try to be fair and he’s done a great job of that,” Reust concluded.

Councilwoman Cindy Dobbins shared a memory of her and Thallemer’s first term. Then she said, “Trust me, I live just a couple doors down (from City Hall) and I see the mayor’s car there all the time. I see how hard he works. I don’t think you’re going to find a mayor probably that puts in more hours than what he does. And as Scott acknowledged, he doesn’t run away from the hard issues, he takes all the balls – good, bad, indifferent. And I admire him for that.”

Grose pointed out that he and Thallemer have served the city for 24 years together.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to put in countless hours with you,” he said, adding that Thallemer was already working by the time he was driving to his job.

“Joe, you love this community, and there isn’t anyone in this room that could say they love it more than Joe,” Grose said. “… You’re one heck of a mayor. You’re one heck of a public servant. I actually call you a friend in the arena now. A true friend, a true friend in the arena and also as a servant leader. The mark that you have put on this community has been so positive and I thank you for that.”

Councilman Josh Finch said Thallemer’s leadership was “top notch” and he’s going to leave an immeasurable legacy. He then shared a story about Thallemer’s “unmatched” work ethic.

“Such a full schedule. You don’t work that hard just to work. You work that hard for things you care about. And that’s what’s really is going to stick with me from you, Joe, so I appreciate it,” Finch stated.

Councilman Mike Klondaris said everything that was said before him was all true.

“Mayor Joe has spent a great deal of his life dedicated to making Warsaw a better place. Serving six terms – three as a member of this board and three as the executive director of the city — he has led this council with relentless perseverance, keen insight and unmatched knowledge of how the city functions,” Klondaris said.

The accomplishments the city has achieved through Thallemer’s leadership are numerous, he said.

Councilman Jerry Frush wished Thallemer the best and said it was great to know him.

Thallemer thanked everyone for their comments.

“I don’t like hearing accolades because I’m my own harshest critic, and my dad taught me to work hard, keep my head down and keep blinders on and keep moving ahead. And there are distractions, there are naysayers. I learn from the naysayers. Not everything can be perfect,” he said. “The global pandemic got in the way of a few things, caused some ripple effects for several years, but this has been the greatest job of my life. … being mayor of this community has been a privilege. I just didn’t want to mess it up. I really wanted to do the right thing, and I can’t please everybody.”

Wilhite presented Thallemer with a token of the council’s appreciation. Instead of a plaque, they presented him with a gift card.